1996 Pontiac Bonneville: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 150 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (25% of complaints); the 1994 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. While driving 35 mph, the driver and passenger side air bags deployed inadvertently without warning. The vehicle was not involved in a crash. Due to the failure, the windshield shattered. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 151,474.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. When the contact started the vehicle, the driver and passenger side air bags deployed inadvertently. The impact of the passenger side air bag caused the windshield to shatter. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 1/28/15*cn updated 9/6/2017*cn”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that the vehicle was being driven 15 mph when the front air bags deployed involuntarily. One of the vehicle occupants suffered minor injuries as a result of the deployment. The manufacturer sent an inspector to examine the vehicle and the contact was informed that water had entered the air bag module and caused the failure. Due to the water damage, the air bag module was corroded and caused the air bag to deploy. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle chimed before stalling. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for inspection or repairs. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 118,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2011
“96 pontiac bonneville.while parked at residence vehicle went into security lock mode and wont allow vehicle to start. All advice from individuals to "reset" security failed. Only option left is to tow to local dealer for service. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2010
“My son was at a stop sign in his 1996 pontiac bonneville, just as his was getting ready to proceed, both the driver side and passenger side airbags deployed, he hadn't even put his foot on the gas, insurance appraiser, appraised the damage in excess of $2000 and come to find out they won't cover it due to the fact that the car wasn't in an accident, they say it's a manufacturers issue, he received a minor burn on his arm from the airbag deploying. *ln”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2010
“This car belongs to my elderly mother which she bought used and has been an on going problem! Occasionally when starting the car, the engine will backfire, after starting it would run ok. The car now does not run as the intake manifold is broken from the backfiring and almost caught on fire the last time it was attempted to start the motor! According to pontiac there is no recall on this car by the VIN number!! *js”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2010
“No incidents but there is damage done to the fuel , emission and brake line the fuel and emission lines from the fuel tank use a plastic quick connect coupling just underneath near the rear passenger side tire . The coupling becomes lose and sprays the fuel lines and brake hoses with fuel this washes off the protective layer of the hoses which then corrode and leak fuel and brake fluid , this happened on my 1996 bonneville can anyone email me if there are any recalls on this car for that reason or if I am entitled to repairs by the manufacturer. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 pontiac bonneville. While the vehicle was parked, the contact heard a loud noise. The air bag exploded and shattered the windshield. The insurance company was called and they declared that the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer stated that they were not responsible for the repair. The failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2009
“I put gas into my 1996 pontiac bonneville went to start it and it backfired and started running ragged and check engine light came on. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A MALFUNCTION ALARM, LIGHTING AND LOCKING (MALL) MODULE THAT CAN CONTAIN A DAMAGED CAPACITOR. IF THE CAPACITOR IS DAMAGED, THE "KEY IN THE IGNITION" WARNING CHIME AND THE DRIVER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED WARNING CHIME AND INDICATOR LAMP MAY NOT WORK. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION" AND FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN ADDITION, OTHER CHIME REMINDER FUNCTIONS, INTERIOR LIGHTING CONTROLS, AND POWER DOOR LOCKING FEATURES ARE ALSO AFFECTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, REPLACE THE MALL MODULE.
A BACKFIRE DURING ENGINE STARTING CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE OF THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING. UNTIL THE CAMPAIGN REPAIR IS MADE, THE VEHICLE HOOD SHOULD BE SHUT WHENEVER STARTING THE VEHICLE TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF PERSONAL INJURY.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Bonneville by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville reliable?
NHTSA has 150 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Pontiac Bonneville problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 115,428 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Pontiac Bonneville have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.